ArcelorMittal Gent has made a significant stride in the steel industry by initiating the world’s first industrial trial of D-CRBN’s innovative technology. The trial, which started on July 1, 2024, represents a major milestone in the effort to decrease carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from steel production.
The collaboration between ArcelorMittal, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), and D-CRBN aims to explore the potential of converting CO2 emissions captured at ArcelorMittal’s plant in Gent into carbon monoxide, a valuable resource for steel and chemical production. This ambitious endeavor represents the first-ever industrial testing of D-CRBN’s plasma technology and solidifies ArcelorMittal Gent’s position as a trailblazer in sustainable steel production.
At the core of this groundbreaking technology is the plasma-based conversion of CO2 into carbon monoxide. Powered by renewable electricity, the plasma process breaks the carbon-oxygen bond, transforming CO2 into a valuable resource that can be used as a reductant in the steelmaking process or as a fundamental ingredient in the production of chemicals or alternative fuels at Gent’s Steelanol plant.
To obtain high-purity CO2 for the D-CRBN unit, MHI’s carbon capture unit has been crucial. Currently, the carbon capture unit is used to capture blast furnace off-gases and off-gases from the hot strip mill reheating furnace, with a pipeline connecting it to D-CRBN’s unit, facilitating the seamless transfer of CO2 for conversion into carbon monoxide.
The industrial pilot phase is a critical stage in the testing of D-CRBN’s technology, ensuring that impurities accompanying CO2 produced during steelmaking do not compromise the effectiveness of the process and the quality of the product gas.
This ambitious initiative aligns with ArcelorMittal’s commitment to pursuing various decarbonization pathways to achieve its climate targets, including a 35% reduction in CO2 emissions from ArcelorMittal Europe by 2030. The Smart Carbon steelmaking route, which integrates circular carbon in the blast furnace, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and carbon capture and utilization (CCU), is central to the company’s decarbonization strategy.
Manfred Van Vlierberghe, CEO of ArcelorMittal Belgium, expressed pride in the pioneering carbon capture and usage trial, emphasizing the strategic significance of developing the Smart Carbon steelmaking route. Collaborating with D-CRBN heralds a new chapter in the company’s pursuit of sustainable steel production.
Gill Scheltjens, CEO at D-CRBN, highlighted the transformative potential of the technology, describing it as a cost-effective and scalable solution that can electrify and decarbonize existing blast furnaces, significantly reducing their coal usage. The conversion of CO2 into CO for steel production not only reduces the need for green hydrogen in the future but also lowers the costs of emission-free products, offering far-reaching benefits for the industry as a whole.
Tatsuto Nagayasu, MHI’s Senior Vice President of GX (Green Transformation) Solutions, affirmed the critical role of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) in decarbonizing the steel industry. The collaboration with ArcelorMittal and D-CRBN underscores MHI’s commitment to sustainable practices and innovative solutions for a greener future.
The successful launch of the pilot carbon capture unit in collaboration with BHP and Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd further underscores the industry’s commitment to reducing carbon footprint and forging a sustainable path forward.
In conclusion, the pioneering industrial trial of D-CRBN’s cutting-edge technology at ArcelorMittal Gent represents a significant breakthrough in the ongoing quest to create a more sustainable and environmentally conscious steel industry. With its profound implications for reducing CO2 emissions and advancing the principles of the circular economy, this trial marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of steel production and offers a glimpse into a cleaner, greener future for the industry.